You know those times we find ourselves in that pit of despair that seems to last forever? We slip and our foot catches along the way and down we go. We can land flat on our face. We don't have a scratch on us. Not this time anyway, but the scars from battle are real. Mine are real. They might go unnoticed by others, but I know they are there, hidden. There we are with tears streaming down our face. Anger rising in our belly. Somewhere we hear a still small voice. We try to quiet ourselves so we can hear. We rise up and there is there it is. That is the sound of our Savior telling us to get ourselves up and take a step forward. Will we ever really get out of that pit unless we climb out? We gotta grab on tight to something. Something strong and stable. Something able to take all the weight we are carrying, plus all of our anger, resentment and pity we feel for ourselves.
Nothing seems to make any sense. Everything that seemed right last week now seems all wrong. We just can't seem to understand those around us. It's like no one cares about us. We are all but forgotten by those we love the most. It can seem so lonely in that pit. But there right before your eyes is light shining down, casting a glow before you so you can take a step. Feel Him? Your Savior? That is His strength wrapping around. It's His grace washing over you. It's His tender mercies filling your heart. It's the Holy Spirit whispering to you, "You can do it. I am here for you. We can do it together, if you will just trust me."
He pulls us out of the pit and sets us on firm ground. We steady ourselves in His comfort and then we are able to walk again. This time we aren't downcast from all the weight we were carrying. When Jesus pulled us out of the pit He too took our burdens with Him. He cast them far from us. Even took our sin and tossed it out into depths unknown. It is in Him we can find freedom and truth. It is in Him that nothing else has to make sense. The world doesn't all have to be right and perfect for us to be whole. In His love we are complete.
Friends, don't fear the circumstances you are facing. Don't allow those failures of yesterday to hold you back from the joy of today. Do not allow the actions of others to steal away your today. All we have is right now. Today. We need to make each moment count. There is nothing that can hold you down. Sure, we can feel as though we are all alone. But only when we take our eyes off Christ. We can feel the pain that others cause us, but only if we allow it. Remember that always! We are not defined by our circumstances. Our failures only bring us to be the humble servant we are called to be. The actions of others cannot be changed by us. But we can control how we react to others. We can choose the road paved in love. We can walk in our Savior's steps and give the grace He has given us. We can extend the same forgiveness He brings to us daily. Friends, let the pain go. Don't hold on to the bitterness raging in your belly. We are victors in Christ Jesus! We are children of the King of kings.
Make a choice today to let it all go!
"For I can do everything through Christ Jesus who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
